The workshop used a Workshop Manual. It was a three ring binder with loose pages that could be renewed when updated information became available. The picture shows a yellow, hardcover manual for the MGA, which was available for consumers (Part No. AKD600D). My own well-thumbed one is issue number 5, dating from the early sixties and contains information about the MGA 1500, 1600 Mk I and Mk II, including the DeLuxe, but not the Twin Cam

The one on the right is an original Workshop Manual for the MGA 1500 as issued in august 1955 by the Export Department. It was printed in Great Britain by Nuffield press (Part No. AKD 600), has a green cover and only two pins. It is followed by a fold out lube sheet in heavier paper

Used only by the dealers was the Spare Parts List, also in hardcover three ring binders. On the left is the Spare Parts List for the MGA (1500) with Part No. AKD1055. On the right is the one issued for the MGA 1600 (Part No. AKD1215). Both have yellow covers, whilst the binder for the ZA and ZB Magnette (below) is green (Part No. AKD 688)

Other publications were of course the Operation Manuals. Pictured on the right is one for the Twin Cam (Part No. AKD 879). The booklet on the left contains information about "Special tuning" for the MGA 1500 and 1600 (Part No. AKD819B).

In the nineteen seventies the book was re-issued by what was then called Leyland Special Tuning. Only six stencilled pages with a blue MGA on the front cover. Its Part No. was C-AKD 819F in which the "C" stood for "competition"













Some of the available accessories:

A radio was an optional extra that was not available through the factory, but was mostly installed by the dealer. This to give the customer a choice of the available radio's. A popular choice of the time was the Radiomobile. It was mounted in the dashboard, where space was provided on the passenger side. The loudspeaker was mounted in the centre of the faciapanel, a power amplifier could be mounted on the bulkhead behind the loudspeaker. The Antenna should always be mounted on the drivers' side wing. Years ago I found an instruction manual by S. Smiths & Sons (Radiomobile) Ltd., published in 1958. Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the pages

One accessory to make your MGA a real quickie was the addition of the Judson supercharger. Power costs money, sure, but with a supercharger you know exactly what the output will be and supercharging adds more performance than any other means. Much more information can be found on the website of Dominic Clancy.

Click the thumbnails below for better views

One of the most confusing subjects is always: "What kind of sidescreens should there be on my MGA?" There are indeed a lot of different types, but there are only three basic types: the first is the screen with the hinged flap that came with the A1500 when it was introduced in 1955; the second was the screen with sliding windows introduced on the A1600 and the third was the aluminium screen that came with the hardtop. So far it's easy. Now the trouble of identifying these screens starts. The MGA 1500 had the screens with the hinged flaps, so you could have some fresh air or give signals to other drivers. They were available in the same colours as the hood, black or ice blue (parts catalogue MGA 1500: sidescreen with hinged flaps)

The flaps were kept closed by a spring, they didn't stay up by themselves. But very soon the aftermarket industry found just the solution for that particular problem, like this device made by Accessory Engineering (photo taken from the book "Accessories for your Sports Car" by Larry Reid, published by Sports Car Press, New York, 1958)

In fact these hinged screens aren't very handy; they give too much ventilation when you don't need it, too little when you do. So very soon screens with sliding windows became available on the aftermarket. They were often made of aluminium frames with acrylic plastic like the ones made by Stevens Plastics from Los Angeles or Lebron Manufacturing in Omaha, Nebraska


















 
                     Stevens                                         Lebron

In 1956 an aluminium hardtop was introduced as an option. It had much improved sidescreens, with aluminium frames and windows made of rigid plastic. The front window was fixed to the frame, but the rear window could slide in the frame. Strangely these screens were not available as standard on the 1500 (parts catalogue MGA 1500: side screen for use with aluminum hardtop)








They did become standard when the 1600 was introduced, although they were not of the aluminium type. Instead the metal frame was clothed in the same material as the hood. Again they were available in the same colours as the hood: grey, beige and blue (parts catalogue MGA 1600: sidescreen with cloth)



















With the introduction of the A 1600 a glass-fibre version of the hardtop was introduced and that one also had aluminium screens with sliding windows, but with a slightly different curve of the screens (parts catalogue MGA 1600: side screen for use with glass-fibre hardtop)








New screens of all types are still being offered by companies like Anglo Parts or Moss (image taken from Anglo Parts Trim Catalogue 1990)

This is an accessory I had never seen before. Made by Lebron Manufacturing in Omaha, Nebraska, its purpose is to improve the airflow into the grille, thus providing the engine with cooler air. According to the ad, from the February 1959 issue of Road & Track, installing this device also eliminates the need to replace the chrome grille. It just might work, but somehow I don't think this accessory found many buyers

The MGA could be fitted with a chrome plated luggage rack as an optional extra. It was supplied by the MG Car Company and could be fitted to all models. The rack was bolted to the boot lid and two longitudinal strips made it strong enough to carry your suitcase. According to Anders Ditlev Clausager in "Original MGA" (page 89) a wing mirror was always fitted on the driver's side

Luggage rack as pictured in the MGA Service Parts list AKD1215. The part number is AHH 5495











Moss Motors sells a very nice reproduction











Others also made luggage racks for the MGA. This one dates from the fifties and was made by Accessory Engineering from California. Hardwood slats were mounted on a steel frame. The rack was held in place by four suction cups and web straps. No need to drill holes and the whole unit could be mounted or removed in seconds (photo from the book "Accessories for your Sports Car" by Larry Reid, published by Sports Car Press, New York, 1958)









Chromerack made by AMCO (photo: Rick Brown)














Chrome rack made by AMCO (photo: Glenn Johnson)













An unusual luggage rack on which the spare wheel can be mounted